Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology placed fifth in the national rankings

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Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology ranked 5th best high school in U.S.

The rankings are made using data from over 28,000 public high schools.

The schools on the list were given gold, silver and bronze medals.

A Fairfax County high school is among the top five high schools in the country, according to a ranking by U.S. News & World Report.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria placed fifth in the publication's national rankings. The school was also named the third best STEM high school in the U.S.

The rankings are made using data from over 28,000 public high schools. The schools that took the top spots are best at preparing students for college and careers, according to a release.

U.S. News & World Report says graduation rates were also a major factor in its methodology. The schools that received national recognition graduate their students at rates that are 15 percent higher, on average, than other schools across the country.

“A high school education is imperative for success in both college and a career, and a school’s graduation rate is a key indicator of whether students are being effectively prepared for both paths,” U.S. News Managing Editor of Education Anita Narayan said.

The schools on the list were given gold, silver and bronze medals. Gold medals indicate the greatest level of college readiness.

For the second year in a row, Maryland was a leading performer, with 28.9 percent of its eligible schools having earned gold and silver medals

A list of the top ranked schools in the DMV can be found below:

Top Ranked D.C. Schools

1. School Without Walls High School

2130 G St Nw, Washington, D.C. 20037

2. Wilson High School

3950 Chesapeake St Nw, Washington, D.C. 20016

3. Benjamin Banneker Academy High School

800 Euclid St Nw, Washington, D.C. 20001

4. Ellington School of the Arts

3500 R St Nw, Washington, D.C. 20007

5. McKinley Technology High School

151 T St Ne, Washington, D.C. 20002

6. KIPP D.C. College Preparatory

2600 Douglass Rd Se, Washington, D.C. 20020

7. Seed Public Charter School of Washington D.C.

4300 C St Se, Washington, D.C. 20019

Top Ranked Maryland Schools

1. Walt Whitman High

7100 Whittier Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20817

2. Winston Churchill High

11300 Gainsborough Rd., Potomac, MD 20854

3. Poolesville High

17501 Willard Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837

4. Thomas S. Wootton High

2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD 20850

5. Walter Johnson High

6400 Rock Spring Dr., Bethesda, MD 20814

6. Richard Montgomery High

250 Richard Montgomery Dr., Rockville, MD 20852

7. River Hill High

12101 Clarksville Pk., Clarksville, MD 21029

8. Severna Park High

60 Robinson Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146

9. Marriotts Ridge High

12100 Woodford Dr., Marriottsville, MD 21104

10. Centennial High

4300 Centennial Ln., Ellicott City, MD 21042

Top Ranked Virginia Schools

1. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

6560 Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA 22312

2. McLean High School

1633 Davidson Rd., Mclean, VA 22101

3. Madison High

2500 James Madison Dr., Vienna, VA 22181

4. George Mason High School

7124 Leesburg Pk., Falls Church, VA 22043

5. Oakton High

2900 Sutton Rd., Vienna, VA 22181

6. Langley High

6520 Georgetown Pk., Mclean, VA 22101

7. Woodson High

9525 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22031

8. Deep Run High

4801 Twin Hickory Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23059

9. Richmond Community High

201 East Brookland Park Blvd., Richmond, VA 23222

10. Open High

600 South Pine St., Richmond, VA 23220

A complete list of high school rankings, featuring data on factors including enrollment, graduation rates, results of state assessments and participation in free and reduced-price lunch programs,can be searched by state here.